Over the past decade, many times I had hoped that one day things would work themselves out, and Wyet and I would end up together. For the past few years, I have been nothing but certain I would spend the rest of my life with him. Since the beginning of the year, I have known that this would be, by far, the best year of our lives. Regardless, I wasn't prepared and was hardly expecting what happened on April 11, 2015.

Saturday, April 11 was an ordinary weekend morning. Wyet woke up before me, as usual, and brewed us a pot of coffee. Rather than making us a home cooked breakfast as per usual, we went down to the local taco shop to indulge a little. Earlier in the week, Wyet had mentioned he wanted to go hiking so I was not surprised when he asked again if I still wanted to go. I love hiking and hadn't been since before winter so I was definitely ready for some fresh air.

As always, we packed a picnic lunch to take hiking with us. I made a few sandwiches and filled our nalgene bottles up with water while Wyet packed our backpacks. Needless to say, I threw on my best looking hiking outfit {compromising of a pair of mom jeans, hiking shoes and the grubbiest hat I own}, and we were off.

Wyet wanted to hike the Salt Creek Trail as he had just been on it the weekend before for a trail run. He wanted to show me how much the trail had changed since our last hike. We began our hike, and I must admit, it was amazing. We were finally getting outside and doing something. I felt like we had been cooped up in that little house for far too long. I was loving the sunshine and activeness.

Naturally, as time went on the hunger kicked in {and a hungry Carissa is never a good thing}. I began to get agitated and wanted to sit down and eat. Wyet kept insisting we go just a little bit farther - that there is a really nice spot to sit down just around the corner. This went on for close to an hour. Quickly, the hunger turned to hanger, and damnit I was ready to eat. After getting a little pouty {and snappy} Wyet finally found a place that he deemed worthy of our picnic area. Granted, it was beautiful. It was in a sunny patch right next to the creek with huge trees all around us. It was breathtaking.

As I pulled off my backpack to get our lunch, I asked Wyet if he remembered to pack a blanket. As he answered yes, I turned around to get it from him to find him not unpacking his lunch and relaxing, but rather down on one knee with that rare grin which he reserves just for me. Before I even had a chance to catch my breath he stuttered, "Will you? Will you marry me?"

As the tears streamed down my face, I was unable to speak. I grabbed Wyet and pulled him up onto his feet, and I hugged him like I haven't in years. That hug was an enormous release of emotion, passion and love. As I hugged him and cried he slid the most beautiful ring on my finger, and I remembered that I hadn't yet answered the easiest question of my life. Will I? Yes, yes of course I will.

Little did I know this was the beginning of the best hike to date! 

The last picture we were to ever take as "boyfriend & girlfiend"

Then, it happened!

Wyet always goes all out with every plan he makes! This was definitely no exception. He bought us this adorable picnic blanket for our engagement lunch. 

 

As happy as I am to marry him, he is just as happy to marry me!

This is a journal I gave Wyet 5 years ago. It has my thoughts on our relationship over the years and my plans for our future. It was so thoughtful of him to not only hang on to this for all these years, but to bring it to the spot he proposed to we could look back on our past and make plans for the future.

Wyet even brought a hammock so we could relax..

And pop champagne!

Once Wyet popped the cork, it flew! Afterwards, we hunted it down and saved it. {This was definitely a cork worth keeping.}

It truly was the perfect proposal. It was so well thought out, and it makes me smile to think of all the effort he put in to making this a day to remember.

Just like that, the love of my life became my fiance. 

And we spent the next few hours, swinging life away in our hammock and getting more giddy by the moment. To an unknowing passerby, it might look like the champagne was the culprit, but we both knew, we were crazy in love - and in that moment, I felt it more alive in us than ever. 

Details: Volume 4

I am in total awe that the first quarter of the year has come and passed. It seems like Christmas was just weeks ago, and yet, already we are in the second month of spring. It has always been the cliche that the older one gets, the faster time seems to fly, and I can certainly attest to that. It is a somewhat terrifying sensation to feel like time is getting away from us. Especially since the older I get, the greater life becomes. I don't want it to get away from me too quickly.  I want to feel every moment, not just go through the motions.

Life lately has been anything but dull. There have been monumental moments and everyday delights. Here is a brief recap of what has been happening in our life since I last posted. Although life moves pretty fast, at least we are making memories every step of the way.

Listening: To the wind, rain and chimes outside
Ditching: The gym - it's just too blustery to leave the house tonight
Witnessing: Wyet indulge in parkseed.com {a site where you can buy unique tomato seeds - planting season is upon us!}
Drinking: Valencia Orange Refreshers {in a poor attempt to completely give up Dirty Dr. Pepper}
Reading: A Dog's Purpose {with a stack of about 8 books in que}
Craving: Rootbeer Floats
Appreciating: The endless support from my friends and family {you know who you are}
Adjusting: {in the absolute best way} to wearing an engagement ring!
Realizing: That the happiest time of my life is right now

Catching sweet faces from Baby H before heading up to the Jazz game with the rest of the family.

Family time! Jerrod and Cameron got Jazz tickets from work, and believe it or not, wanted to share them with all of us. 

My date is always the absolute best looking :)

Easter is always celebrated well at our house! I got Wyet a seed started kit and a book on how to grow the best tomatoes. Naturally, the dogs had a few prizes in the basket as well. 

Murphy checking out the new toys!

Easter morning is somewhat like Christmas morning, you can't be expected to look flawless, only to look real.

The babies.

Baby Cat.

As always, we spent the afternoon coloring eggs!

Wyet surprised me with a kite! This was the first time I had ever flown a kite - in my life! 

Just like last year, we spent Easter weekend camping in the yard with pups. 

We even had a little bonfire and roasted hot dogs!

Obviously, the most important event this spring has been our engagement {which deserves a post all of its own. Stay tuned!}

Eagle Point, On Point

It's important to have milestones or events to look forward to. It gives me a sense of drive; a reason to keep going when the monotony kicks in. For the past few months, my vision has been set on our winter getaway to Eagle Point. Our romantic escape was intended for rest, relaxation and a bit of adventure. I am pleased to report it was just that - with a side of bumps and bruises.

On Saturday morning, we each got a thermos of coffee ready, loaded the truck, grabbed a bite to eat and then headed down to Eagle Point Resort. As we made the two hour drive, we gulped down our hot coffee and went through our weekend agenda. We were both a bit nervous about the snowboarding aspect of the trip. I was worried because I had only been once before, and Wyet was worried that teaching me was going to be a nightmare. As soon as we reached the resort, we checked in to our condo and headed straight for the slopes.

Surprisingly enough, I wasn't terrible. Granted, I wasn't anywhere near good, but it was a decent attempt for my first run. We made our way back up the mountain, and I was eager to try again. On our second round, I made it down the run, and I only fell three times! {If I went in to detail about how many times I fell on my first run, you would realize how monumental this was.}

I was feeling great about my progress as we boarded the lift. The scenery was beautiful as we slowly made our way up the slopes. Sitting next to Wyet, I was feeling relieved. Relieved from the past few months at work, refreshed to be out of Nephi, impressed with myself for trying something hard. It felt amazing. Then, just as we were getting off the lift, about to begin our next run, I went down. Hard. It was an instant pain that couldn't be expressed in any other way than tears. I cried. I cried good and hard right there on top of mountain with dozens of people around. Even though the fall put a quick end to my adventurous weekend, the release that accompanies a good cry was needed.

I spent the rest of the weekend lounging around the condo, sitting in front of the fire and finally relaxing. When Wyet wasn't snowboarding, he was right by my side. We spent the entire weekend loving life and loving each other, and even though I discovered snowboarding isn't quite my thing, I was reminded more than ever how much Wyet is.

#prefall

Wyet was definitely in his element

It was amazing to finally be surrounded by snowfall!

Some things never change - like Wyet preparing me a delicious Sunday morning breakfast!

The beautiful view from our balcony.

Whenever on a getaway, we definitely load up on bar food {guilt free}

On the way home, we stopped at an adorable diner in Beaver. It was decorated entirely in pink, the service was phenomenal and the food was incredible.

It's mornings like this, where the coffee never ends and Wyet is sitting across from me, that I remember how incredibly blessed I am.

Love Is

Love is:

• The way you look at me first thing in the morning
• The fact that you, a healthy person, made me Eggs Benedict for brunch yesterday - a meal with enough cholesterol to kill
• The fact that there is a side of me that no one other than you has seen, and there is a side of you that only I know
• The way we can sit together, for hours on end, doing our own things, not even speaking. 
• The amount of thought you put in to every gift you give me
• The way we snuggle up at night and watch documentaries on every imaginable topic. 
•  The need to count you twice when counting my blessings
• Our own secret language of love we have created
• The excitement we feel when planning the bits and pieces of our future
• The fact that we already have our future children {and pets} named
•  The way we can stay up all night talking about our memories from the past decade
• The uncontrollable laughter that results in tears when we reminisce 
• Waking up on Saturday mornings to the crackle of bacon and the rumble of the coffee pot already brewing
• The simple things - when you buy me new headlights or make sure that I have packed my lunch before bed
• Talking about our days at work over the home cooked dinner you prepared
• Above all else, the way I trust you and know we are a team and are in this together

It isn't everyday that I publicly release a cheesy love letter to Wyet. Regardless, over the past few months the love that I have for this guy seems to be exploding out of my chest. I am not certain of the moment we shifted from romantic obsession to life long devotion. All I know is, I am glad it happened, and I'm glad it was you. I love you, toot. Thanks for making this life worth living.

Valentine's Day 2015 - Wyet gave me beautiful flowers and the one thing I have been wanting for months, an Instax camera.

Wyet trying his hands at Eggs Benni - my absolute favorite breakfast.

We then spent the afternoon taking the pups on a walk.

This little family is the highlight of my life.

The sunset this Valentine's was absolutely beautiful!

Wyet ended the evening by preparing me an amazing dinner!

So maybe we spend all of our holidays hoarded up in our own home. We prepare our own meals and snuggle with our furry babies. The truth is, I can't imagine a better way to spend our days. This is the life we were meant for.